Chapter 1 You Are A Curse
"We've already taken 600cc. Drawing another 400cc could be deadly," the doctor warned urgently.
"She is the reason Olivia is in this mess. If it costs her life, then so be it!" came a harsh reply.
In a daze, Gina Miller caught this exchange between her mother, Ella Miller, and the doctor. It felt like her heart was being ripped apart.
Gina had rescued her six brothers from a blaze, nearly losing her life. The heavens spared her, yet Ella seemed ready to act as the executioner, all for her adopted sister, Olivia Miller, who shared her rare blood type but not her bloodline.
As Gina awoke with a splitting headache, feeling the prick of a needle on the back of her hand, she withdrew quickly. Pale and with a chill in her eyes, she sat up, demanding, "Don't touch me."
Ella's fury ignited upon seeing Gina's defiance. She slapped her hard, yelling, "You selfish brat! Olivia rushed back worried about you after hearing about the fire, got into that accident, and now she's losing too much blood. All your fault, so yes, it's only fair we use your blood to save her."
'Olivia worried? Bullshit. She probably couldn't wait to dance on my grave,' Gina thought bitterly.
"You curse! Ever since you came back, disaster follows. The fire, Olivia's accident, Phillip's stroke. Are you trying to wipe us all out? Why couldn't it have been you? Why don't you just drop dead?" Ella raged, hand raised for another hit.
Gina had thought she had grown immune to the family's bias and venom, but in that moment, it felt like her heart was in a vice, being crushed.
James Miller, Gina's eldest brother, held back Ella, thinking, 'Gina still needs to donate blood for Olivia. Can't have her damaged now. Once she is done, killing her wouldn't even matter.'
He glared at Gina, accusing, "Always so damn jealous, picking on Olivia, who has never once held it against you. Got no heart? It's just a bit of blood."
Taking 600cc was already pushing it, and now they wanted another 400cc. 'They're asking for a bit of blood? No, they're asking for my life,' Gina thought with a bitter laugh.
Gina's second brother, Noah Miller, tried coaxing her. "Gina, the hospital is out of blood, and getting more would take too long. Olivia can't wait. Give your blood, and the Director of Design position at Miller Jewels is yours."
Miller Jewels was in a slump until Gina offered her designs to save the family business.
However, Noah, the CEO, gave her designs to Olivia, following a little coaxing, and credited Olivia with the success. The line was a hit, but the credit went to Olivia, the thief.
When Gina sought justice, the family rallied behind Olivia, the wrongdoer. They said it was just "inspiration" and "coincidental similarities."
Gina reflected, her tone icy as she responded, "Sorry, I'm not interested."
Noah's face twisted in anger as he barked, "Don't be an idiot! That position was for Olivia. We're handing it to you on a silver platter, and you're still ungrateful?"
Gina let out a soft laugh, thinking, 'I never gave a damn about the position. I helped because I thought of you as family. But you've never seen me as your sister.'
The slap from Ella knocked some sense into Gina, making her mind even clearer.
'The Miller family belongs to Olivia. I grew up in an orphanage. I never had a real family,' she mused bitterly.
At that moment, Gina let go of any hope for affection from her so-called family. She closed her eyes in despair, and when she opened them again, all that remained was a cold resolve.
Seeing Gina unfazed, her third brother, Liam Miller, lost his patience. "Olivia is on death's door. Quit the bullshit and tie her down! If 400cc ain't enough, we'll take 600cc."
"What the hell are you waiting for? Do it!" Liam barked at the medical staff.
Caught in a moral dilemma, the medical team hesitated. Their oath was to save lives, not risk them, yet defying the Miller family was out of the question.
A nurse, voice trembling and on the verge of tears, begged Gina. "Miss Miller, please. Just cooperate with us."
Pissed off, Liam decided to intervene. Gina, locking eyes with him, her gaze icy, spat out, "I told you, don't fucking touch me!"
Liam, momentarily thrown off by Gina's fierce look, recovered and growled, "I'll have to see about that."
He lunged for her, but Gina was quicker, catching his wrist in a vice grip.
A sharp snap echoed as Liam screamed, his knees buckling, landing him in a heap at Gina's feet.
'How the hell did she do that?' Liam was in disbelief, staring at his twisted wrist, thinking, 'She looks like she could be blown over by a breeze, yet she broke my hand so easily?'
"Fucking hell, you hit me? I'll end you!" Liam howled, trying to retaliate. Gina responded with a swift kick to his chest, sending waves of agony through him, likely breaking ribs.
Ella gasped, "Gina, are you out of your mind? Hitting your own brother?"
Gina had shown restraint. This was her final act of mercy towards Liam.
She shot Ella a cold glance, stating simply, "He had it coming."
Without another word, Gina stepped over Liam, heading for the door.
"Stop, just stop!" Ella screamed, her voice raw with desperation.
Gina didn't even pause.
The others in the room hesitated to intercept her, wary of ending up like Liam.
"How can I have such a heartless bitch for a sister? After a year of freeloading off the Miller family, basking in luxury, don't you owe us a damn thing?" James exploded in rage.
Gina halted, turned, and gave the three men a look colder than ice. "I saved your asses from a fire. And this is how you repay me?"
They were left speechless.
With venom in her voice, Ella spat, "Walk out now, and don't ever think you can return to the Miller family. You ingrate!"
Chapter 2 Coercion And Seduction
Gina's lips, pale as death, curved into a cold smile. "Don't worry. I'm not crawling back."
After wiping off the blood Ella had drawn from her lips in the restroom, Gina caught her ghostly pale reflection. Mocking herself, she thought, 'What a joke I've become, all for a worthless family bond.'
Checking her pulse, Gina remembered the fire at the old mansion. After saving her six brothers, her body gave in to carbon monoxide poisoning. Plus, they had drained 600cc of her blood. Still, she was only a bit weak, nothing more serious.
Opening her phone, she saw a message from Olivia before the car accident. [Ethan and I are getting engaged next weekend. You won't skip it, will you, Gina?]
[The marriage that should have been yours had you not vanished. You're not mad I took your man, right?] Olivia's message reeked of smugness.
To Olivia, Ethan Jackson was a gem. To Gina, he was trash.
With a cold chuckle, Gina texted back. [Expect a lavish gift. Have a blast at your engagement.]
Gina used to overlook Olivia's low blows because of their shared blood. But now, she was determined to make Olivia regret it all.
Losing any interest in Olivia's reply, Gina blocked every Miller on her contacts. Then, she dialed a number she hadn't called in a year, her voice slightly hoarse. "Vegate Central Hospital, come get me."
"Right away," came the reply.
Meanwhile, Olivia sat unscathed on the hospital bed, sneering at Gina's reply. 'Thinks you can mess with me? As if you have the guts. You're probably bleeding out and close to death by now.'
Olivia wasn't actually of the rare blood type. She had bribed a doctor to lie. The precious blood drawn from Gina was disposed of down the drain.
When the doctors winked from the door, Olivia swiftly played the weakling, sprawling herself on the bed as Ella and company entered.
Pretending to have just woken up, Olivia blinked at her two brothers and feigned distress. "Mom, how is Gina? She is okay, right?"
Ella thought bitterly, 'Gina refuses to give blood and even assaults Liam. Yet, here is Olivia, barely awake, worrying about Gina. Talk about angels and demons.'
Angrily, Ella snapped, "Forget her. From now on, Olivia, you're the only daughter in the Miller family. Consider that girl dead to us."
Olivia had been waiting a whole year for those words. Thrilled yet cautious not to overdo her reaction, she curiously asked, "And Liam? Where is he?"
James grumbled, "That damn Gina broke his ribs. He is off getting treatment."
Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Liam, a ninth-dan black belt, champion at the International Boxing Competition, gets beaten by a frail Gina? Bullshit,' she thought.
Collecting herself, Olivia asked, "So, Gina is gone?"
Then she began to sob. "Gina hates me, and I get it. Everything I have is supposed to be hers. But where did I wrong my brothers? It's all my fault. I wish I never existed."
Seeing Olivia shoulder all the blame, Ella felt her heart break. She hugged Olivia, soothing her. "Sweetheart, you've done nothing wrong. Luckily, the blood transfusion worked. You're gonna be fine."
Olivia sniffled, playing the innocent card. "So, Gina just stormed off without saying sorry to Liam?"
Her question hit a nerve with Ella. 'How the hell did we let that brat off so easily? Ever since Gina waltzed back into our lives, it's been disaster after disaster. She is the damn curse that's been plaguing our family. She owes an apology to Olivia and Liam."
Ella dialed the housekeeper, Lucas Harris. "If Gina dares to show her face here, tie her up and chuck her in the basement until I can deal with her myself!"
"Don't bother feeding her. Let her stew on what she has done," James chimed in coldly.
"And Lucas, give her a good whipping, but don't kill her. No mercy needed; she is asking for it," Noah added with a vicious tone.
"Got it," Lucas responded.
An hour later, Lucas reported back. "Mrs. Miller, we can't find the young miss anywhere. She has not come back, and she is nowhere to be found."
'That little shit, she thinks she can just not come back to the Miller family? Impossible! Where would she even go, abandoning the life of luxury here?' Ella muttered disdainfully.
"Just keep looking," Ella snapped.
"Yes, Mrs. Miller," Lucas responded.
"Yeah, let's see how she manages on her own. Pop is barely cold, and she's already eyeing the inheritance. Like hell, she's cutting ties with us." James scoffed.
"As it gets darker, I wonder if Gina is safe out there. Did anyone take her in?" Olivia asked, feigning concern.
Noah just snorted. "Olivia, drop it. She is not worth your worry. She tried to snatch Ethan right from under you. And here you are, still caring about her. What a fool!"
"If Gina ends up dead out there, she had it coming," he added harshly.
*****
"Does it hurt?" Inside the Rolls Royce, Michael Clark looked at the bruises on Gina's hand and frowned deeply, gently applying ointment and blowing on it to ease the sting.
Gina felt a tickle and withdrew her hand, busy on her laptop. "Nah, it's nothing. I'm not so fragile."
The bruises on Gina's hand, likely from improperly drawn blood, were swollen. Far from receiving concern from her so-called family, all she got was guilt-tripped.
'If it were Olivia, even a tiny scratch would have them up in arms, right?' Gina scoffed internally, her gaze dripping with derision.
Minutes later, staring at the gathered evidence, Gina smirked coldly. "Print these out for me, will you?"
Michael glanced at the laptop screen, slightly put off, and nodded. "Sure thing."
"Gina, time to head back to Oriata City. You have got a situation to take control of," Michael gently suggested.
"Not yet. The trap isn't set," Gina replied, her eyes reflecting a chilly resolve as she stared out the window, deep in thought.
That brutal massacre seemed tangled up with the Miller family.
Chapter 3 A Desperate Showdown
"Gina, your dorm at school has gone up in flames," Michael stated as they drove.
Gina's eyes narrowed a bit. "Alright, I'll head back and check it out." Exiting the car, she made her way on foot.
Her phone vibrated with a text from an unknown number. [Where the hell have you vanished to? Get your ass back to home, now!]
Gina scoffed and blocked the number. 'Really? Changing numbers to harass me? What the fuck are they thinking?' she thought.
She had made up her mind to sever ties with the Miller family and wasn't about to let them pull her back in.
When the Millers first found her, Gina was on a mountain, gathering medicinal herbs, covered in dirt and sweat.
They mistook her for someone foraging for wild vegetables, their eyes laden with barely concealed disdain.
They were momentarily surprised to hear Gina had aced her college entrance exam and secured a spot at Trowell University. However, they quickly diminished her achievement, thinking she was nothing more than a bookworm, lacking the grace and talents of Olivia, who had been shoehorned into Trowell's art program through connections and hefty sums.
Gina rarely stayed with the Miller family. They rationalized it by saying living in the dorm was more convenient, saving her the trouble of commuting. Meanwhile, they bent over backward driving Olivia, a fellow Trowell student, around.
But Gina seldom spent her time at school. To her, college was meaningless; she only needed an innocuous front. Yet, this became Olivia's ammunition to slander her, accusing Gina of being a dropout, always skipping class, and goofing off God knows where.
Regardless of how much Gina tried to set the record straight, the Miller family wouldn't have a bar of it.
Ella spared no venom in her ridicule. "Look at you. What could you possibly achieve? You might as well quit now."
James once mocked her. "Grew up in the sticks, eh? First time laying eyes on a computer? Why aimlessly pick computer science?"
Noah sneered. "Better think about dropping out before the school shows you the door. We can't afford that kind of shame."
Even when Gina bagged a scholarship as the top student, paying her way through college, they couldn't muster a single word of praise.
All the while, Olivia, who bumbled through piano lessons despite the fortunes spent, failing to grasp even the basics after a year, was showered with praise.
Gina closed her eyes, chuckling at her folly. 'I should've seen through this bullshit a long time ago,' she thought.
Just a short walk later, a BMW rolled to a slow stop beside Gina, the window sliding down to reveal James glaring from within.
James cursed under his breath, 'Figures, she has headed back to school. Blocking her path here was spot on. She has even blocked all our numbers and ignored my texts. She is asking for it!'
"Get in the car!" he demanded, voice dripping with menace. "Come home and kneel, apologize to the whole family."
Gina gave him a look reserved for lunatics. "Are you dreaming?"
James, momentarily thrown, snapped back, "What's this about dreaming? Are you ignoring me? Get back here now!"
"Awake and still talking crap?" Gina fired back, unyielding.
James was boiling with anger, thinking, 'Did she hit her head? Used to be as quiet as a mouse, barely uttering a word. And now look at her, she is sharp as a tack.'
He stepped out of the car, blocking Gina's way.
James sneered. "You think you can just disappear? One word to the principal from us, and you're out of Trowell University immediately. Think twice, Gina."
'Kick me out? As if you could,' Gina thought, her inner voice laced with scorn.
"What makes you think you deserve an apology?" Gina asked, voice cold and lips curled into a smirk.
"You ungrateful brat," James fumed. "Forging Dad's signature, creating a fake will. That alone deserves more than a mere punishment, and yet you dare to question me?"
Gina couldn't help but laugh, retorting, "I only return home when you call. I don't even have the keys, let alone access to Dad's room. How could I have possibly used his seal on the will?"
James faltered before insisting, "Who knows what you did to steal it."
Gina smiled, resigned to the familiar outcome. 'Never mind, my brothers will never suspect their darling sister, Olivia,' she thought.
Feeling no more words were necessary, Gina turned to leave.
"Stop!" James shouted, determined to drag Gina back home today.
He grabbed her arm, but Gina's icy gaze made him flinch, thinking of Liam still in the hospital. Reluctantly, James let go.
Gina continued towards the school.
A venomous look flashed in James's eyes as he climbed back into the car and ordered the driver. "Just hit her. Let's see her run then."
The driver hesitated, appalled at James's thought of harming Gina.
"What are you waiting for? Do it! I'll take the fall," James barked impatiently.
Seeing the driver balk, James shoved him aside, took the wheel, and floored it, aiming straight for Gina's retreating figure.
In a split-second save, a Rolls Royce shot out from the side, blocking the BMW.
James hit the brakes hard, his face colliding with the steering wheel, nose bleeding instantly from the impact.
"Damn it, who the hell?" he cursed loudly.
As he got out, cursing, James noticed the Rolls Royce. It was a custom model limited to one per region, owned by only one person in the North City, Gabriel Jackson.
He remembered Gabriel was a board member of Trowell University and uncle to Olivia's fiancé, Ethan – practically family.
Yet, despite the long-standing engagement, they had never met Gabriel.
The Rolls Royce driver yelled at James. "Can you even drive? Move it!"
James, regaining his composure and wanting to retaliate, instinctively looked towards the back seat's still-open window, feeling a chill down his spine.
Chapter 4 Are You Sick?
Inside the car, Gabriel watched James through the rearview mirror, a chilling intent surfacing in his otherwise indifferent eyes. 'Was James really about to run Gina over?' he mused.
His eyes narrowed dangerously as he coldly commanded his assistant, David Gray. "Find an opportunity to deal with James."
"Got it," David replied.
As the Rolls Royce pulled up at the entrance of Trowell University, the principal, Jack Barker, spotting the familiar license plate, quickly put on a flattering smile to greet him. "Mr. Jackson! What a surprise."
Gabriel, expressionless, stepped out and cut straight to the chase. "What's the status of the dorm fire investigation?"
Jack tensed, realizing the gravity of Gabriel's unexpected interest. He knew he had to get this right or risk his position.
Mopping his brow, Jack nervously said, "Mr. Jackson, our fire safety checks are rigorous and up to date. It's likely a student brought in something flammable. We're looking into it."
Gabriel, eyes downcast, suspected the fire targeting Gina's dorm was no accident. "Let's check out the scene," he suggested.
"Oh, right, of course," Jack stammered, leading the way.
Elsewhere, Gina stared at her dorm's charred remains, a pang of loss hitting her. All her belongings turned to ash while she was out cold in the hospital.
"Gina!" A sharp female voice called out.
Gina turned to see Lily Allen, one of her roommates and a flunky for Olivia. Given Lily's association with Olivia, she had always looked for ways to trouble Gina.
Gina, uninterested in entertaining Olivia's lackey, attempted to leave, but Lily persisted.
Confronting Gina, Lily accused, "Just like Olivia said, you're a curse. The fire started in our dorm. I nearly died because of you!"
Gina scoffed, shaking her off. "I wasn't even there. How could you pin this on me? Are you brain-damaged from the smoke?"
Lily persisted, "Who knows what those two dark bottles in your closet were? Probably something flammable!"
"You broke into my locker?" Gina's eyes narrowed.
Unashamed, Lily boasted, "And what if I did?"
Gina retorted with icy disdain, "Thief."
Lily's face flushed. "Who cares about the trash in your locker?"
'A medical bag, some dark pills, two mysterious bottles, and a few books... She acts like they're a treasure,' Lily thought scornfully.
Gina, fed up, decided to call the cops.
"What the hell are you doing?" Lily blurted out.
"Catching a thief," Gina replied, her tone frosty.
Lily, incensed, shot back, "You're the real thief! Bet you started the fire, you sicko, seeking revenge! Those dark bottles had to be gasoline, right?"
Gina almost burst into laughter at the absurd accusation, mentally scoffing at Lily's ignorance. She found it pointless to explain.
Desperate to stop Gina from calling the police, Lily tried to grab her phone but failed. Frustrated and embarrassed, she picked up a brick from the ground, ready to hurl it at Gina.
"Mr. Jackson, please, watch your step," Jack said with a respectful tone, guiding the way. His expression soured when he spotted Gina and Lily in the aftermath. "What are you doing here? This area is dangerous, didn't you know?"
Lily felt her heart skip a beat when the brick she was holding dropped to the ground. Turning around, the first person she noticed was Gabriel, standing coolly beside Jack.
With an aura cold as ice and devastatingly handsome looks, Gabriel was a sight to behold.
Lily's heart fluttered. 'Why is Mr. Jackson here? His last visit during the school anniversary caused quite a sensation.'
Spotting her chance, Lily rushed to Jack, blurting out, "Mr. Baker, I need to report something! Gina's locker contained two cans of some unknown liquid, possibly flammable or explosive. I suspect she is behind the fire!"
Jack, now concerned, called out, "Gina, stop right there!"
As Gina turned, her gaze met Gabriel's. They had crossed paths before, but weren't well-acquainted. Yet, she felt an unusual warmth in his gaze. 'Am I imagining things?' she thought, brushing it off.
"What's this I hear from Lily?" Jack demanded.
Gina coolly responded, "They're just bottles of medicine, not explosives. While we're at it, could you also look into Lily's attempt to steal?"
Gabriel's interest piqued, "You're sick?"
Gina, puzzled by his sudden concern, replied, "No, I'm fine."
"What the hell are you talking about? Who stole from you?" Lily was in denial.
"And how did you know what was in my locker if you didn't break into it?" Gina shot back.
Lily panicked. "How can you prove those weren't gasoline?"
Gina retorted, "Prove your claim first. Show me evidence they're gasoline."
Trying to defuse the situation, Jack intervened, "Enough! Both of you, to my office, now!"
Gabriel, however, interjected, "Did you miss her trying to hurt someone?"
Jack realized, recalling Lily's actions, that had they been late, Gina could have been seriously injured.
"I was just joking!" Lily protested.
"Joking? Since when is picking up a brick funny?" Gina's sarcasm was biting.
Jack decided on the spot. "You're on probation, Lily. Leave before you cause more trouble."
Gina watched Lily's tearful exit without a trace of satisfaction. After all, to Gina, Lily was merely one of Olivia's minions. 'Dealing with a minion hardly counts as a victory,' Gina mused.
Trying to backtrack, Lily stammered, "I'm sorry, Gina. I was wrong to break into your locker and tamper with your stuff. I apologize. Let me make it up to you, I'll pay for the damages!"
Chapter 5 Time To Cut Them Off
Gina looked down on Lily, who was crying her eyes out. She knew well Lily's tears weren't about remorse but fear of punishment.
With a cold laugh, Gina commanded, "Scram."
'Idiot,' Gina thought, unwilling to waste another second on her.
Lily scrambled away, too flustered to even greet Jack as she made her exit.
Gina glanced at Gabriel and said coolly, "Thanks. Goodbye."
"Need a ride?" Gabriel's gaze was fixed solely on Gina as if she were the only one in the world.
Gina felt uneasy under Gabriel's unexplained eagerness, thinking, 'Mr. Jackson, suddenly playing the good Samaritan? Doesn't quite fit.'
"No, thanks," she replied.
No sooner had Gina declined than Gabriel whipped out a business card, gently grabbing her hand and placing the card in her palm.
"Call me for anything," Gabriel offered, his voice soft.
Jack watched in disbelief, internally marveling. 'I can't even snag Mr. Jackson's direct line. Is he into her or something?'
Despite her reluctance to owe anyone anything, Gina didn't want to snub Gabriel in front of others, so she accepted the card.
Gabriel's gaze lingered on Gina's retreating figure until she vanished from sight.
He felt a sense of relief that Gina appeared unharmed.
*****
It wasn't until later that Gina finally had a moment to check her phone, only to find it bombarded with annoying messages from the Millers, who had even gone as far as changing their numbers to harass her.
'This is getting ridiculous. Time to cut them off for good,' she thought.
Her reply was curt. [Tonight. Scrumptuous Delights, room 0826.]
Scrumptuous Delights was the restaurant that the Miller family had chosen for their so-called family reunion dinner, tailored to Olivia's preferences, right down to the excessive cilantro in every dish, despite Gina's disdain for it. Gina had barely touched her food that day, not that anyone cared.
Meanwhile, back at the Miller mansion, James slapped his thigh. "The bitch finally replies. She wants us at Scrumptuous Delights. Thinks a dinner can smooth things over?"
Ella, with a look of disdain, said, "As if we will let her off that easily. She has been nothing but a jinx to us all."
Recalling his near-miss with Gabriel and the subsequent tire fiasco, James thought, 'Just my luck, dealing with Gina only brings trouble.'
Olivia, barely concealing her smugness, chimed in, "Mom, bro, let me handle Gina tonight."
Ella, visibly worried, protested, "Honey, how can I let you face her alone? What if she lashes out? You've already suffered because of her once."
Trying to appear noble, Olivia replied, "Don't worry, mom. Remember, the fortune teller said I'm blessed. I can handle her curse. Let me deal with this."
Ella's heart ached, wishing more than ever Olivia was her own. 'Fate's cruel jokes.' She sighed.
"No way, you're not up for dealing with that menace. She doesn't even spare Liam. Who knows what she's capable of? We're all going tonight, see what this brat is plotting!" Noah declared fiercely.
Ella, protective as ever, reassured Olivia. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't let her humiliate you. We'll have her begging for your forgiveness."
Trying to suppress her glee, Olivia coughed.
Ella instantly tensed, asking, "What's wrong, dear? Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine, mom. I'll go rest up in my room." Olivia feigned weakness, making her way out.
"Sure, darling. Go rest," Ella said softly, watching Olivia go with tender eyes.
Back in her room, Olivia got a call from Lily. "Olivia, you have to help me take down that bitch Gina!"
Olivia rolled her eyes, annoyed at Lily's stupidity for getting caught red-handed by a trustee during her attempt to sabotage Gina.
Lily didn't drop any names, so Olivia just assumed it was some old guy like Jack.
With a scoff, Olivia said, "Don't sweat the small stuff. I won't even have to lift a finger. Just do what I say."
Lily was all ears, and after getting the plan, a smug grin took over her face. "Got it."
After hanging up, Lily was at the roadside, cursing, "Gina, you bitch, your ass is mine!"
What she didn't know was a Rolls Royce parked nearby with Gabriel inside, catching every word of her rant.
Gabriel's eyebrows knitted, a flash of malice in his eyes as he called Jack.
Jack answered immediately, "Mr. Jackson? Is there something else?"
"Drop Lily's probation. Expel her." Gabriel's voice was suddenly ice.
Jack got the shivers, knowing well once Gabriel made up his mind, there was no changing it. "Alright," he said.
After the call, Gabriel's look darkened, silently swearing, 'No one fucks with Gina and gets away with it.'
*****
As night fell, the Miller family made their way to Scrumptuous Delights, and stormed into the private room, only to find it empty.
Just as they were wondering if they had been played, Gina showed up. She was in high spirits, her light makeup accentuating her already stunning features.
Olivia, noticing her family's attention was all on Gina, clenched her fists, quickly trying to pull them back. "Gina, vent all you want at me, just spare mom and brother. I don't need your sorry. Apologize to them, and let's just be one big happy family, okay?"
Gina couldn't help but laugh at Olivia's dramatic act, responding sarcastically, "Really? A car crash just two days ago and here you are, acting all fine? Olivia, you're tougher than I thought."
Then, with a taunt, she added, "Like a cockroach."
Olivia was livid, thinking, 'This bitch just called me a cockroach?'
Chapter 6 The Agreement
Ella's face contorted with fury as she snapped at Gina. "Shut your trap, or I'll shut it for you! Olivia getting better so quickly is just her luck!"
"Our family would have been ruined without Olivia, our lucky star. It's your bad mojo that got the old house burned down!" James piled on.
"We should have never let a disaster like you in." Noah stirred the pot further.
"You've been living in luxury on our dime, and this is how you thank us?" They continued their tirade.
Gina laughed coldly. "Would you even give me the time of day if it wasn't for that 20% share? Besides, you've got the shares, not me."
Before passing away, Evelyn Miller, Gina's grandma willed that the lost Miller bloodline be found to inherit her 20% stake in the Miller Group. That share, meant for Gina, was quickly pocketed by the family, without so much as a peep.
Ella, defensive, lashed out, "You really think you deserve the shares? Don't expect a single penny from us, you ungrateful wretch."
Gina was unfazed, disinterested in anything the Miller family had.
Tired of their nonsense, she threw an agreement on the table.
James glanced at it and saw "Severance Agreement."
'Is she really cutting ties with us?' he wondered in disbelief.
The Millers looked at each other, silently agreeing it was probably for the best.
Olivia barely suppressed a smirk, conjuring up sad thoughts to hide her glee.
"Seriously, Gina? You're the real Miller here. Hate me, not them. How can you make things right with Mom and the brothers? I hate seeing us like this. If it'll fix things, I'll do whatever it takes. After all, everything I have should've been yours." Olivia's voice broke as she spoke.
Gina watched Olivia's act, barely holding back a laugh. "Willing to sacrifice anything, huh?"
Olivia nodded vigorously.
Gina smirked coldly. "Then die."
If Olivia hadn't called her back to the Miller family with fake concern, Gina wouldn't have returned or encountered the fire. The timing of the fire, right after Olivia left, made her involvement undeniable.
'You want me dead, and I am not about to show mercy,' Gina thought inwardly.
Pretending to be shocked, Olivia cried, "So you really do hate me."
"Yeah, so why are you still standing? Go ahead, die!" Gina's laugh was cold.
Tears streaming, Olivia grabbed a wine glass, smashed it, and picked up a shard to slash her wrist. "If my death brings you back to the family, I'll do it." She tightened her grip, blood seeping out.
The brothers and Ella were dumbfounded by Olivia's theatrics, which made Gina seem even more intimidating.
Sure, Olivia wouldn't do it. Gina stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and pressed the shard to her neck. "Cut here, and it'll be quick."
Olivia was petrified, not expecting Gina to go through with it. Blood trickled down her neck.
Ella, regaining her senses, screamed, "You're insane!" Grabbing a bottle, she prepared to strike Gina.
James and Noah grabbed chairs, ready to jump in.
"Touch Olivia and you're dead!" James roared.
"Step closer, and I slit her throat. Wanna see who is faster?" Gina challenged, her voice ice-cold.
"Piece of shit!" Ella cursed, rage boiling but not daring to move.
Gina pressed the shard a bit deeper, making Olivia's knees buckle. She knelt, and Gina finally let go.
In a whirlwind of panic, Ella darted forward, pulling Olivia into a protective hug, while James and Noah quickly positioned themselves as Olivia's shield.
"Olivia, honey, are you alright?" Ella's voice was laden with worry.
Olivia, clutching her neck, felt a sharp sting. She revealed a bloodied hand, looking pitifully wronged but internally ranting, 'Is this bitch crazy? Or did she suddenly get bold because she's got a big shot backing her?'
Tears welling up, Olivia turned to Ella with a look of utter distress. "Mom, I'm fine. As long as Gina calms down, that's all that matters."
Ella, visibly infuriated, hissed. "Gina, you've crossed the line this time."
She nodded at James and Noah, signaling them to teach Gina a lesson. Gina, on the other hand, coolly observed them, loosening her wrists in anticipation.
James, visibly intimidated, gulped nervously. The thought of going toe-to-toe with Gina sent chills down his spine.
Noah glanced at James, deciding to hold back if James wasn't making a move.
James, in a moment of bravado, whipped out his phone, intending to call for backup from downstairs. "You think you can just walk out without apologizing? Think again!" he thundered.
Gina, unfazed, stared them down, her voice icy. "Touch me, and Miller Jewels crashes and burns by tomorrow."
"What the hell are you on about?" James shot back, his anger peaking.
Gina met his gaze coolly. "Olivia's Wish collection? My designs, her name. Talk about copyright infringement. Wonder how long Miller Jewels can keep up its act once this scandal breaks."
James felt his heart skip, though he tried to mask it with disdain. "As if you could pull that off."
"Oh, you want to put it to the test?" Gina taunted, a cold smirk playing on her lips.
With the company's lifeline at stake and despite her reluctance, Ella said, "What's your demand?"
"Pull the Wish collection permanently and return every penny made from it to me. Consider it your penance for plagiarism," Gina stated sharply.
The total sales amounted to a staggering 600 million dollars. Gina had no desire for the Miller family's money, but this amount rightfully belonged to her.
After the Wish collection's success, Miller Jewels was rolling in dough, propelling the Millers to the pinnacle of wealth. Yet, they blatantly denied Gina's role in it all, crediting Olivia instead and attributing their windfall to her so-called luck.
"You've got some balls." James exploded, incredulous and enraged.
